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Regular speech: "Wryyyyyy."
Thoughts: 'Wryyyyyy.'
Summon's, higher beings regular speech: "Wryyyyyy."
Summon's, higher beings thoughts: 'Wryyyyyy.'
Locations: Somewhere in the deep ocean…
Techniques: Kawarimi!
'Document, quotation'.
Italics can be used for certain kinds of emphasis or snide comments.
Bold can be used for forceful yelling/shouting/screaming.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or JJBA.

Chapter I

The Village Hidden in the Leaves. The greatest and the strongest of the Hidden Villages, mostly famous for their legendary shinobi that fought for their village over the years. The Hokage runs the village with his council of trusted advisers. There are also a Clan and Civilian Councils, that voice their ideas and concerns to the Hokage and his councillors, but Hokage always has the final say in the matter. Although the Leaf is rich with natural resources, you can't touch or weigh the most prised of their possessions, and that is the Will of Fire, the ideology that keeps the village together even in the toughest times of war. The current Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the 'God of Shinobi', is a firm believer in it, treating all of the villagers as his family and ensuring that all decisions are made to the betterment of the people. Although he isn't supposed to have favourites, Hiruzen can't deny that he deeply cares for one blonde-haired knucklehead. Speaking of which…

"Ugh, I hate this!"

Naruto and his team were plowing the rice field as a part of their endless routine of D-rank missions, as they should as a newly-formed team of genin.

"Why can't we do something else other than plowing the fields, buying groceries, walking the dogs, painting the fences, or catching that damned cat! I'm not even sure that he is a cat and not a devil!" - out of frustration Naruto thrown his plow in to the near bushes - "We are ninja for god's sake, not some workers!"

"Quiet down you idiot! We are all in the same position, and I and Sasuke don't complain all the time as you do, so stop it already with the whining!" - said Sakura, one of the two of Naruto's teammates. Although she too is fed up with these pointless missions, she wouldn't side with him.

"He's right," came from the broody teammate. "I'd rather train under Kakashi than waste my time as a gardener."

"Ha! I am right after all, ain't I, Sasuke-chan?" as usual even a drop of attention made Naruto go haywire, even if it came from the idiot he hates.

"Shut up, dumbass, you were merely stating the obvious. There's nothing to be proud about here. Although I am surprised you can complete a sentence, I thought you can only yell something about becoming Hokage," Sasuke can't help but jest back the orange-wearing upstart.

"You damned…"

"And where is Kakashi-sensei? I thought he was under the tree over there, overseeing our work!" Sakura chimed in just in time before things went out of control between her teammates.

"What?" said Naruto with a jolt. Indeed, Kakashi was nowhere to be seen. "Don't tell me he left us again! He is our sensei! He should be with us on our missions!"

"Oh, do my little genin feel lonely without me? I'm flattered," came from up the tree.

"Kakashi-sensei! What are you doing up there?" said Sakura in surprise.

"Me? Just enjoying my book on a sunny day. And you guys still complaining?" Kakashi jumped down from the branch. "It wont do you any good if you keep on whining about every single nuisance in your lives."

"But Kakashi-sensei, we've been doing these stupid missions for two weeks! When are we going to get some cool missions?" said Naruto.

"Well, you are genin, aren't you? These errands are all newbies such as yourselves gonna get." shrugged Kakashi. "And I think you guys are done, let's head over to the Hokage Tower for another mission."

"But Ino and their team already completed 2 C-rank missions! Why do they get to do something important and we are stuck with doing useless tasks?" complained Sakura.

"Well, it must be that Asuma thinks that they are ready for such missions, and I agree with his point of view. They act as a team, and you guys still lacking in that department, from what I can see." answered Kakashi. "Even though I think we need a little shakeup, Hokage will decide what assignment we are going to get, so quiet down and let's go to the Hokage Tower."

Naruto rubbed the back of his shoulder. 'Good grief,' he thought as the team went back into the village. 'I hope I can eat some Ichiraku's ramen before we get to our next mission.'

With that thought in mind, he followed his teammates down the main road.

Hiruzen sat in his chair, pondering over some papers. The trade isn't going well. Although he often sends teams of chunin to guard the trading routes, they are still getting reports of bandit attacks.

'Not too close to the border, nor the village or any cities whatsoever. These bastards sure do know where to hunt their game. There must be someone smarter than a common thug above them, who directs the attacks. Does he have any contacts here, in the Leaf? Is he a nukenin, perhaps? There's too much to think about on the matter, but I do know that we need to somehow fix the situation.'

With that thought in mind he wrote an order for a new routes of patrol for his ANBU troops. 'Although it stresses our manpower, we should do our best to secure the trade. There could be some trouble with other nations if onslaught on their caravans continues on our territory. Maybe I should have Danzo take care of the investigation?'

His train of thought was abruptly stopped with a familiar blonde barging in the door.

"Hey, old man! How's it going!" Naruto said cheerfully, he was going to say something else, but Iruka, who was sitting next to Hiruzen, interrupted him.
"Naruto! Show some respect to the Hokage!"

"It's quite alright, Iruka. So, Kakashi, your team is done with your mission?"

"Yes, Hokage-sama, everything went just fine."

"Hmm, it's quite early in the day, do you want to go to train with your team or another D-rank perhaps? I heard Tora escaped again." he mused.

"No! Old man! Give us a real mission! We are doing these errands for 2 weeks already!" complained Naruto. "Other teams have already got their C-ranks, give us one too!"

"Naruto…" Iruka sighed, while Kakashi punched Naruto on the head.

"Can't you be a little more respectful?" he said in a hushed tone.

"I see. Kakashi, what do you think? Are they ready for this?" Hiruzen turned to the team's sensei.

"Well, from what I see, they are a long way from being a team. But a C-rank outside the village will do them good. I think they are ready," he answered.

"So be it. Bring in the guest from the Land of Waves!» commanded Hiruzen, while throwing a scroll to the team's mentor. "Your objective is to escort our client back to the Wave, safe and sound. I get reports from within the country that bandits attack trade caravans. But I doubt they would risk going into a fight with shinobi over nothing, especially considering that the Wave is not too far away, two days on foot, considering your client, and one day to get back. It should be an easy mission, but keep an eye out for any ambushes, just in case. The mission starts today! Now, meet your client."

"Oh! Is it a princess we are going to escort? An important councillor?" Naruto wondered.

However, the man didn't meet his expectations. The team looked at an old man, who was holding a bottle in his hand, wearing a dark shirt and cargo shorts, stumbling as he entered the room.

"Are these ninja you were talking about? Seems like a bunch of brats, especially this shortie with a stupid face," said the man.

"Hahahah, Sasuke, I would be sorry for you if it wasn't so funny, hahahah!" exclaimed Naruto.

"He's not talking about me."

"What? He isn't?" the man in question shook his head. "Really? Then who are you..." the answer found the way into the boy's head "I'm gonna kick your ass you geezer!"

"Naruto! This is Tazuna, the bridge builder from the Wave, your team are going to escort him back to his country, show him some respect!" proclaimed Iruka.

"I believe it's all, Kakashi, your team is free to go, instruct them accordingly to the mission," Hiruzen concluded.

"It will be done, Lord Hokage," bowed Kakashi.

With that the team and the bridge builder went into the street

"Get ready for the mission, we are likely going to camp along the way, so don't forget to bring your camping mattress and food for 3 days. And pack lightly, I wont tolerate whining from my genin. We're leaving in an hour, from the East gates. Mr. Tazuna and I will wait for you there and discuss some details and background info. Don't be late," Kakashi and Tazuna started to walk to the gate, leaving the trio.

"Oh yeah! Finally, a real mission! That's gonna be great," Naruto ran back hastily to his apartment, so he could have some time to eat his beloved ramen. 'Maybe I should pack a few bowls? Nah, they won't fit, gotta stick with the store-bought then.'

"Hmm what should I pack? I will definitely need a hairbrush, cant let my hair look bad," mused Sakura. 'Hopefully I'll make Sasuke notice me!' with that thought in mind she walked home, being certain that she wont be late.

'This will take me a step further towards my goal,' thought Sasuke, clenching his fist. At his apartment in the deserted Uchiha district, he already had a few backpacks ready for any missions. He would only need to pack some food and he's good to go.

Having packed up for the mission, Sasuke sat in the backyard of his house. However, his thoughts weren't focused on the mission. He dwelled on the past long gone, the tragedy which took place years ago. And not a day goes by where he doesn't think about that day. The day he lost everything, and gained a goal, which he would accomplish even at the cost of his life.
Sasuke stood up and walked back to his house to get going to the East gates. Leaving his home, he held his gaze on the picture of his family, torn at the side. Swearing to the dead that he will avenge them, he went into the empty streets of the Uchiha compound. Even though the massacre happened a long time ago, and everything was cleared of the blood and bodies, he could still smell the metallic scent he did back then.
= = = To be continued... = = =

I'll be the roundabout
The words will make you out 'n' out
I spend the day your way
Call it morning driving through the sound and
In and out the valley...