A/N: Hellooo my beautiful people. Not much to say, except enjoy the chapter.

Chapter Song: dying lately- Iamjakehill

Chapter 5

"DIEEEEEE!"

Mizuki was charging directly at Naruto, slower than before, but in Naruto's surprised state, he couldn't move out of the way fast enough, and ended up getting hit by Mizuki, and although he was slower, he hit way harder. A fist deposited itself in Naruto's face, and a kick to his stomach threw him into a nearby tree. Not letting up, Mizuki charged again and stopped himself just in front of Naruto.

Naruto looked up blearily at the tiger-man hybrid in front of him, and suddenly found himself lifted into the air and slammed repeatedly into the tree he had crashed against. 'I can't' slam 'focus on' slam 'getting away like this' slam slam slam. For a brief second Naruto thought it was over when something suddenly pierced his abdomen, sending excruciating pain through his body. He held in his screams, until Mizuki twisted his hand, claws still inside Naruto and Naruto let loose a guttural scream of pain.

'Kit, I know I've never done this, but I'll be flooding your body with my chakra in a moment. There's no way we're dying here today!'

As the Kyuubi spoke those last words, chakra flooded Naruto's body. Multiple things happened simultaneously. Mizuki, terrified of the chakra he could feel and see radiating from Naruto, ripped his hand free and jumped backwards, wary of coming close. As he did that, Naruto's eyes went from their deep cerulean blue to blood red, and his pupils turned to slits. His whisker marks thickened and grew darker, and his nails sharpened and grew about an inch before stopping. The wounds he had been dealt immediately closed and as Naruto stared at Mizuki, a yell turned roar escaped his mouth.

In Konoha, everyone stopped in their tracks, having felt this oppressive force 14 years ago, and multiple shinobi started heading in its direction.

Naruto suddenly rushed at Mizuki, his speed seemingly tripled, and smashed the hulking chunin straight in the chin with a flying knee, sending his opponent flying backwards and crashing through multiple trees. Every time Mizuki would seem to stop rolling, Naruto was on him again, smashing his former sensei over and over again, until they reached the border of the forest.

Mizuki lay bleeding and broken a few feet from Naruto, who seemed to be losing his red aura, the earlier transformations receding as well. Naruto resisted the urge to fall to his knees and instead walked over to Mizuki, who was struggling to stand up. "Surrender Mizuki. You can't fight anymore, you're done."

A sudden rage overtook the beaten chunin. He was worthy of Orochimaru's praise, he had been given the cursed seal, he had been tasked with stealing the Forbidden scroll. This brat was nothing and no one, and he would prove it. Getting to his feet, Mizui used his last chakra and strength to leap at Naruto, intent on ripping his throat out. Naruto however, was still fast enough to move out of the way, and as doing so he plunged his kunai into the base of Mizuki's neck, killing him.

A group of ANBU, followed by the Hokage and multiple Jonin arrived moments later to the scene to find Naruto, on his knees next to a dead Mizuki, staring at his bloodied hands, unresponsive.

(Some time later: Hokage's office)

Asuma and his father sat staring at Naruto, who was sleeping fitfully on the couch in the office. They had brought him here directly from where they had found him and Mizuki on the outskirts of the village, hoping they could at least bring some life to the boy, but the most they had gotten was Naruto absentmindedly smoking a cigarette and mumbling that he was fine, before he passed out on the couch.

"I'm worried about him Dad. Taking a life, one of his former instructors lives on top of that, is going to affect him for a while… It's already taking its hold. And the whole Kyuubi thing, he must've been pretty upset about something, or wounded… The villagers aren't going to take its appearance lightly."

"Even if they decided to do something about it, I doubt that they would be able to accomplish anything, except for making his life harder than they already do. If that happens, take him to the Shinobi District, introduce him to Tenzen and Imako. Those two were close to his parents, and they won't force outrageous prices on him. At least this proves that he doesn't lose control while using its chakra… Jiraiya was already on his way back here to look at the seal, just in case."

Asuma nodded and left his fathers office, running the situation through in his head. Mizuki had obviously instigated the confrontation, Naruto wasn't stupid enough to pick a fight with a chunin, not to the extent that they had fought. 'Maybe I should take them out of the village on a nice, calm C-rank. It'll give the villagers time to get over Naruto's outburst, and give him time to get over it… Man, I'm beat, and I've still got that date with Kurenai tonight.' Asuma started heading off towards his apartment, intent on forgetting the days events with a lot of booze, cigarettes and Kurenai.

(Later: Naruto's Apartment)

Naruto sat on his bed, having woken up in the Hokage's office and leaving immediately, not wanting to answer any questions. He kept replaying the moment through his head. The ease with which the kunai had sunk into Mizuki's neck, the dull thunk and crack as it hit and severed Mizuki's spine, the spray of hot blood that had hit his hands and his face… the light leaving Mizuki's eyes.

Naruto knew he shouldn't be feeling this bad, he had been defending himself, Mizuki would've killed him. He'd done what any shinobi worth their salt would've done, protected his village and its secrets. Yet, he felt horrible. He'd ended someone's existence. Mizuki wouldn't smile again, wouldn't laugh, wouldn't make another memory… but on the other side, he wouldn't hurt anyone else, wouldn't jeopardize the village, wouldn't work against his comrades.

'Maybe it was the right thing to do… it wasn't easy though, but I'll have to get used to it, won't I Kyuubi?'

'Of course you will kit. I know it isn't easy, but you'll have to get used to it. To become the best, you have to beat the best, and by beat, I mean kill, or get so close that they're too scared to even attempt to fight you again. But remember, killing isn't a bad thing. Murdering in cold blood, for the sake of killing someone, or over petty emotions, like jealousy or greed, is bad. Killing for your village, because of orders or to protect what is dear to you, that is true strength of character, and a good view on killing.', Kyuubi explained. He didn't like his container moping like this, it was unbecoming and honestly unnecessary. He could understand why though.

'Thanks Kyuubi. By the way, what happened when you gave me your chakra? I felt so out of control and angry, and I just saw red. What was that about?'

'Oh. I flooded your system with my pure chakra, exposing and changing you accordingly to the amount I had given you. I'm sure you'll learn to control it eventually, though not now. It basically upped your power. Training with it will be brutal, and I'm not just going to willingly give up my power, it's something you'll earn, become worthy of. When you truly master it, and prove to me that you're stronger than me, maybe I'll teach you some things. And beware, the whole village would've felt that outburst, and will probably give you grief over it. I'm going to bed, go to sleep kit.', Kyuubi said, closing the link from its side.

Naruto sat thinking on the day again, and what the Kyuubi had just told him. He would become strong enough, one day… And he'd always protect his village, and any loved ones he found along the way. After a late dinner of sweet, sweet ramen and a comforting cigarette, Naruto passed out.

(Unknown Location: About 2 days later)

In a room deep underground, at the end of a labyrinth like base, sat one of Konoha's most notorious nuke nin. Orochimaru sat with his fingers steepled, yellow slitted eyes staring into the darkness of the room.

"So, poor Mizuki is gone. At least he died before he could reveal any of our secrets. Little Anko-chan would've pulled everything he knew out of him. Kabuto, tell me again, who ended our little spy?"

Some of the low torchlight caught the edge of round glasses, Kabuto walking forward, his grey hair almost becoming silver in the light. "Uzumaki Naruto, the jinchuriki of the Kyuubi No Yoko. He's a genin under Sarutobi Asuma, but he seems to be much more powerful than a genin should be. I'm working hard to find out how, and why, Orochimaru-sama."

"Kukukuku… So Naruto-kun seems to be strong… Maybe I'll have to change my plans for our impending invasion. Leave me Kabuto-kun, I need time to plan. If anything else comes up regarding the little container, do let me know."

Kabuto nodded and left the chamber without a further word. 'I have to find a way of getting close to Naruto… He would make an amazing new body for Orochimaru-sama, especially with the Kyuubi and his Uzumaki heritage. Yes, definitely better than the Uchiha brat.'

(Team 10 Training Grounds)

Naruto was the first to arrive to the days training, having had trouble sleeping for the past week after the Mizuki incident. He was avoiding the village as much as possible, spending most of his nights atop the Hokage Monument or walking through the forests, then sleeping for an hour or 3, before heading to the training grounds. When he was forced to be in the village for missions, he kept his hood up and voice down.

A few minutes later, Ino and Shikamaru arrived, both stopping to watch their unusually quiet teammate sitting against a tree, arms crossed over his chest and his head down, seemingly sleeping.

Ino bit her bottom lip at the sight of their dark clothed teammate. "I'm worried about him Shika… This isn't normal for him, and it's freaking me out."

"I am too, but it's not our place to force him to be happy… Whatever is bothering him is his to deal with, for now."

The two teens went over to Naruto, the sound of their footsteps making him sit upright lightning fast, then slumping back down when he saw it was just them. Before a word could be spoken between the three genin, Asuma jumped into the clearing, a cigarette already between his lips. His eyes scanned over his genin squad and the corners of his mouth dropped momentarily when he saw Naruto's posture. 'I'll deal with that soon.', Asuma thought, then smiled again.

"So, I have news. I just signed us up for a C-rank." All three of them looked up, even Naruto seemingly interested. "We're leaving in… four hours, so head home and pack enough survival equipment for a minimum of a week and a half. Meet me at the main gate in three and a half hours, so that we can go over your equipment before we leave. Naruto, would you mind staying here for a minute, I need to talk to you."

Naruto stood up and stuck a cigarette in his mouth, lighting it, puffing out two big clouds. "Yes Asuma-sensei?"

Asuma grimaced at the semi-monotone in Naruto's voice before taking a drag. "I know the Mizuki incident hit you hard, but you need to understand that not only was he a traitor to the village, but you were protecting yourself. I know you haven't been at home much this week, and I'm assuming it's because of the Kyuubi and the villagers… Just know that no one outside this village knows who you are or what you carry, and the villagers are assholes…They don't understand the burden you carry, and they probably won't, not for years to come. Do you know what I think though? I think you are an amazing young man, and you are becoming an amazing shinobi. Be yourself, and don't let other people's opinions shape who you are. I trust that you'll take this to heart." Naruto nodded quickly. Asuma smiled and ruffled his hair affectionately. "Good. Let's get going, you need to pack."

Asuma started turning away when Naruto wrapped his arms around the older man's waist. Asuma almost froze in shcok, but smiled and patted Naruto's head, hearing a muffled thank you from the blonde genin. Naruto pulled away and smiled, then turned and ran home.

Asuma watched him leave and smiled softly. 'Finally got through to him.'

(Later: Main Gate)

Asuma watched his genin arrive one by one at the gate, Ino and Shikamaru each carrying packs on their backs, Naruto with two scrolls strapped to his back, and four smaller scrolls on each of his thighs.

"Team 10, reporting for the C-rank mission.", Naruto said, standing at attention when the three joined their sensei.

Asuma looked over his team, a sparkle of pride evident in his eyes. "So, our client will be arriving in about half an hour. That gives us more than enough time to do a pack inspection. Unpack your gear quickly."

The three genin kneeled down and started unpacking. Ino had only packed clothes and make-up, with one extra pouch of shuriken and kunai. Shikamaru had precisely enough of everything, packed with a preciseness that didn't match him at all. Naruto flipped the scrolls off of his back and rolled them out, running a bit of blood over the seals. The first scroll seemed to contain enough camping equipment to last Naruto a month or more in the wild. The second scroll revealed enough weaponry to supply two genin teams, each blade polished to perfection. There were food pills, explosive tags, sheafs of unmarked sealing paper and about five small chakra suppression tags. The small scrolls on his thighs were unsealed with a small surge of his chakra, revealing piles and pouches of perfectly arranged kunai, shuriken, ninja wire, emergency chakra pills, two packs of senbon, and some ink with brushes.

Asuma looked over his three genin, and his pride in them faltered when he saw what Ino had packed, it picked up again a bit at Shikamaru's pack, and he beamed internally at Naruto's level of preparedness, even if it was a bit over the top. Sighing, he readied himself. "Ino, I don't know who taught you how to prepare for a mission out of the village, but you packed abysmally. Are you gonna throw make up at an enemy when your shuriken and kunai are spent? Or try and smother them with clothes? Shikamaru, while everything you packed is perfect, you didn't pack it. If I would hedge a bet, it would be that Yoshino packed it for you after you failed miserably. Fortunately for you two, Naruto packed way too much, which isn't a problem, cause of his scrolls. Scrolls are lighter, easier to carry and store much more than a pack. Next time, I expect gear packed with thought to space and weight, as well as enough gear for however long we'll be out. Am I understood?" Asuma hated being so formal and strict with his genin, but they needed to learn this.

All three genin snapped to attention. "Understood, Asuma-sensei!"

Asuma nodded for them to relax, setting Naruto to pack up his supplies, slinging his scrolls across his back. Shikamaru and Ino both looked a bit disappointed in themselves, but Naruto gave them each a smile, which seemed to lift their spirits, not having seen Naruto smile in a while. Soon enough, a short, rotund man walked up to the gate. Naruto wrinkled his nose, smelling the alcohol on the man from 20 feet away.

"So these are the 'hic' runts that are supposed to 'hic' protect me? They don't look very impressive, do they?" the man said as he stumbled up to them.

"Who're you calling runts? We're more than enough to protect you, old man.", Naruto said vehemently.

"Now now Naruto, calm down. This is Tazuna, our client. We're to escort him back to Nami no Kuni (Land of the Waves) and watch over him while he finishes the construction of his bridge. It should take us a few days of walking to reach Nami, and another… Week and a half maybe for the bridge to finish and then, if we want to come back quickly, we can make it back in a day. Now, let's get going." Asuma said, then turned to make his way out of the village.

The three genin snapped into formation, ushering the grumbling bridge builder between Ino and Shikamaru, with Naruto taking up the rear. The five quickly fell into a good rhythm, walking along a well beaten path, the sun pouring between the leaves of the forest that surrounded them on both sides. Every five kilometres or so, Naruto created 10 clones, splitting them up and sending them ahead and into the forest, to scout ahead and make sure they wouldn't be ambushed. About 30 kilometres from the village, one of Naruto's clones dispelled while the party rested for a quick lunch alongside the road. Naruto stood up and whispered in Asuma's ear, who just nodded and made a motion for Naruto to sit back down. About 20 minutes after they'd left, they passed two shallow puddles on the otherwise dry road. Naruto's hand clenched around the kunai he kept at his side, the same one that had killed Mizuki. There was a small nick near the point of the kunai, where it had hit bone. Otherwise it was polished and sharpened to near perfection. The moment Naruto was a few feet away, two cloaked figures appeared out of the water, a chain hanging between them, suspended by gauntlets on the one's right hand, and the others left. The chain shot forward and wrapped around Naruto, and pulled back, seemingly to shred the blonde in two. To the attackers shock, Naruto just burst into smoke. Suddenly, kunai flew from the forest at the two mask wearing attackers, forcing them to jump back, out of the way.

From behind Naruto jumped at them, his hood up, his kunai flashing. One of them fell with a cry of pain, his hamstring cut, blood flying. His partner released the chain binding them together, and jumped forward towards Tazuna, where he was stopped almost immediately by seemingly nothing. A shadow stretched from Shikamaru, connected to the attacker. Before he could brute force his way out of the Kagemane, Ino had rushed forward, holding a kunai up against his throat. "See Tazuna, my 'runts' are more than capable of protecting you. My question is why are the Demon Brothers of the Mist after you? Gozu and Meizu, what're you two runts doing so far from Mizu no Kuni? Aren't you supposed to be trying to support a rebellion or somethin?" Asuma said, lighting a cigarette.

Naruto dragged the disabled brother forward while the one Ino had started speaking. "What the fuck are these kids? How did you know we were even there?" He spat, pushing against Ino's kunai, enough to draw a little blood. Asuma ignored what he said for the moment, smiling proudly at his students. "This is Team 10 of Konohagakure, and I'm their sensei, Sarutobi Asuma. But, that won't mean much to you after today… Not much will really. But first" and Asuma turned to his genin, "You three are going to interrogate these two. It isn't pretty, Ino definitely knows that, her father is head of Konoha's T&I division after all. Even if none of you ever want to join T&I, knowing how to interrogate an enemy for any valuable intel about your mission is an invaluable skill. Ino'll probably learn how to read minds from her family, but you can't always rely on Ino either. So, get to it. Me and Tazuna need to have a serious conversation about our mission."

Asuma ushered the terrified Tazuna off to the side, leaving the genin to do their job. Naruto tied up the hamstrung one and helped Ino tie up her captive, a few clones keeping a wary eye the whole time. Naruto nodded towards the forest, the three genin marched them into the forest, without a word between them. Naruto threw the one against a tree, pinning him up with a few kunai. The other one was strung up by his feet, hanging next his brother. The three stepped away from their captives.

"So, what do we do? Just beat them until they talk?", Naruto asked, rubbing his neck sheepishly. "Well, we could start with that… If it doesn't work though, we'll have to break them emotionally.", Ino said. "Daddy says that's what they do at T&I. They have people who specialize in torture, I've met some of them when they come for dinner… They're kind of scary to be honest. Who's gonna do the beating though?" Both Ino and Shikamaru looked to Naruto, who was sporting a small grin at the thought. "I'll think of something to break them in the meantime, no matter how troublesome it might be." Shikamaru said with a sigh, leaning back against a tree, just watching. Ino stepped back and joined him when Naruto stepped towards the two missing nin, cracking his knuckles.

The one against the tree scoffed at Naruto, who was heading directly towards him. "What's a fresh, green gaki going to do to Gozu and Meizu, the Demon Brothers of the Mist? There's nothing you can do to mak-" Naruto's fist buried itself into Gozu's stomach, stopping any words from escaping. Naruto looked at the wheezing man, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Just know, that's me barely trying to hurt you, that's how I spar… I could've probably bruised some organs right there if I tried. Now, why are you here?" Silence permeated the air for about 20 seconds, broken by Naruto's hand snapping out, rocking Gozu's head back against the tree. His other hand flew out in a cross, busting his lip. Naruto mercilessly beat Gozu for a few minutes, until he finally cried in pain. "Okay, okay, stop! We were hired to kill the bridge builder. We were to stop him before he reached Nami." Gozu whimpered.

Naruto smirked at him, and stepped to the side, face to face with Meizu. His face was red and covered in sweat, but he had stopped struggling when Naruto had started beating his brother. Not saying a word, he spat at Naruto, grinning when it hit right above his left eye. Naruto swiped the spit from his brow. "You aren't the only one who can spit." Naruto ran through some handsigns, and softly, so that only Meizu could hear, whispered, "Suiton: Teppōdama(Water Release: Gunshot)" and spat a kunai sized ball of water directly into, and through, Meizu's shoulder, a fountain-like spray of blood covering Naruto's face. Meizu screamed out in pain, his shoulder bleeding slowly now.

"Now, I was gonna ask you who employed you and what or who else we could expect going forward, because there's no way you two useless pieces of shit were the only one's trusted to do this job. But now? Now I'm going to beat the shit out of you because I want to, answers be damned." As he said that, Naruto held a hand up behind his back before Ino and Shikamaru could get involved. He was bluffing, but Gozu and Meizu didn't need to know that. Palming a kunai in each hand, he fit his middle fingers through the metal rings at the end. For 10 minutes Naruto beat Meizu without stopping, but he left his face mostly intact. He had cut his cloak and shirt off, and the only sounds that rang through the forest were of metal and flesh hitting unprotected flesh, occasionally bones as well. When Naruto finally stepped away, his hands were covered in Meizu's blood, a feral grin on his face. Meizu's torso and abdomen were bruised all over, cut a bit as well in places. "You gonna say anything, or can I just keep beating you to shit?" Naruto said, snapping a kick at some already broken ribs, eliciting a cry of utter pain from Meizu. "Or maybe I should just kill you, beat your brother again see what he tells me? Then, when I'm done, I'll kill him as well, and me and my teammates can cash in on your bounties, useless as they may be?" Naruto stepped forward, flipping his kunai around, and holding it against his captives side. Slowly, he slid his kunai down his side, blood slowly starting to flow down the man's side. It wasn't lethal, but it was painful, very slow and painful.

"Stop, stop, please! I'll tell you, okay? Just don't kill us, please! Lock us up, just don't kill us. Not like this." Meizu begged, and Naruto stepped back a bit, letting up. He motioned for Meizu to starting talking. "Gato hired us, and some other nuke nin. He doesn't want the bridge to be built, he'll lose a lot of money, cause it'll stop his trade routes. The other missing nin he hired are Momochi Zabuza, Kirigakure no Kijin (Demon of the Hidden Mist), and his little friend, Haku… She poses as a Hunter Nin, and uses some Hyouton (Ice Release) jutsu. Further, Gato has about 400-500 low life mercenaries camped around his compound, at the top of the hill above the village of Nami. Zabuza-taichou didn't tell us his plans, but if you see unnatural mist rolling in, run. You kids might've got the drop on us, but Zabuza-taichou will cut you down where you stand."

Naruto stepped back, schooling his features into a more neutral façade, and sent off a clone to Asuma-sensei, wanting to know what they were to do with the prisoners. A few moments later a grimace marred his face for a second, before his calm mask slipped back on. He turned to his teammates. "So, Asuma-sensei said it's our choice. We can knock them out, take them back, or kill them. Honestly… It's probably more profitable for us to kill them, their bounties aren't that small, especially for three genin. If you both want, I'll kill them, if you aren't ready for it?" Naruto said with a small frown. Ino looked a little sick at the thought, and Shikamaru's forehead was creased in thought, also frowning. "Honestly Naruto-kun, you don't have to do everything for us. You're gonna get yourself in trouble if you do everything yourself, we can handle it… We need to handle it." Ino said, glaring softly at Naruto. "Yeah Naruto, honestly. It's troublesome, but we are a team for a reason, we have each other's backs, always. And you're right, we need to kill them… They could get away, and even if they don't, you can bet your ass we won't get the credit for capturing them. Killing them puts names under our belts, money, and a small start of a reputation, as troublesome as that is. I don't ever want to be known as a big name in the Shinobi world, but you both might want that, and I'll do whatever needs to be done for my friends, no matter how troublesome. Ino, why don't you sit this one out, you're looking a bit sick. You don't have to rush it."

Before Ino could say anything in protest, Shikamaru walked forward, drawing a kunai from a pouch and cut Meizu's throat, the man's lifeblood spilling down in a red waterfall, staining the forest floor. The three genin and his brother watched as he bled out, the light leaving his eyes. Some of the blood splashed over onto Gozu, his eyes wide in hate and horror. He started struggling against his bindings again, but Naruto shot forward and buried a kunai in his throat, watching with a grimace as the man choked on his own blood, spurting from his mouth in small coughs. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, but what was actually a few minutes, Gozu's eyes fell closed, and Naruto pulled out his kunai. A few feet away, Ino was throwing up behind a tree, Shikamaru patting her on the back, a steely mask adorning his features. Naruto nodded at him, and proceeded to cut off their captives heads, storing them in a special scroll clipped to the pack of his pants. It was the most complicated storage scroll he'd created, with the only purpose to serve as storage for bounties. The seal arrays to preserve body parts, heads more often than not, and prevent them from decomposing, was much more complicated than preserving tools and other sealing equipment. It's why very few people bothered sealing perishable food, because the seals cost more to produce, both in material and labour costs. That, and ninja could hunt for food, they were taught to survive off the land around them, there had even been hunting courses in the Academy, for those that could stomach killing the animals. Naruto burned the corpses after stripping them of any gear they had on them, sealing the chain gauntlets for later inspection. The two didn't have anything else of much note, except for what was probably the first half of their payment, which Naruto sealed separately.

The three genin walked back after Ino had recovered from her brief nausea, Naruto still very bloodstained, his previous grin nowhere to be seen. Asuma looked at his genin with a small, understanding smile. Ino was trying her best to hold her emotions inside, Shikamaru looked worried for his friends, and Naruto had a solemn look of understanding and a resigned contentness adorning his whiskered face. "So, Team 10. Report what you have learned from our captives please." Asuma watched them, seeing who they would looked to as the leader in their dynamic. He expected it to be Shikamaru more than Naruto, but both Ino and Shikamaru turned to look at Naruto, who in turn glanced at Shikamaru. Sighing, Naruto stepped forward. "During the interrogation fo Gozu and Meizu, the Demon Brothers of the Mist, they revealed, after physical encouragement, that they, along with another missing nin, Momochi Zabuza, Kirigakure no Kijin (Demon of the Hidden Mist) and his own companion, a Hyouton user that goes by the name of Haku, who apparently masquerades as a Kiri Hunter Nin, were all hired to kill the bridge builder, Tazuna, to stop his bridge from being built. They were hired by Gato Mugnato, a shipping magnate who has formed a very profitable trade route out of Nami no Kuni, and if the bridge was built, it would destroy his business interest in the country. Further, Gato apparently has a compound located on a hilltop above the village, and 400-500 mercenaries camped outside of the manor. We executed the missing nin, and I have sealed their heads as proof for when my teammates and I turn in their bounties. I also have their upfront payment for the job they were hired, and failed, to do, and their signature chain gauntlets. That's all to report, Asuma-sensei." Naruto reported, standing rigidly at attention during, and after, the report.

"At ease Naruto. You all did well. Tazuna did inform me about Gato while you three were busy, but I've left the choice to you. If you three wish to continue the mission, aware of the all the threats, I'll trust your decision. We are Konoha ninja, and we stand by our word. I will protect you three, and the client, with my life if need be, and I'm sure we can take this, but it's up to you." Naruto stepped forward with a half assed "Let's go then", already knowing his teammates would follow. They had commited, and they wouldn't turn back now. The other two genin nodded at Asuma, and got into position around Tazuna again, waiting for Asuma to lead them on. Asuma stepped forward, and the party walked onwards. "Naruto, could you create a clone real quick and send it back to Konoha, so that it can report back to the Hokage, telling him to send reinforcements the day after tomorrow, if we don't get another message to him by then please." Naruto nodded and a clone puffed into existence by his side, rushing back towards the village.

Asuma looked back at his team, trying his best to not show his pride at how well his genin were taking this all. "They are going to be the best the Shinobi world has seen in decades… and I'll be damned if I don't help them every step of the way."

A/N: Yooooooo. So, I haven't updated in forever, major PC issues. But, here we are again. I… Don't know what I'm doing, I'm just going with the flow. It's a fun ride though, and I'm getting better at steering it. As always, any feedback is welcome, even constructive criticism, or just plain criticism veiled as being constructive, I don't mind. I'll try my best to update… How's once a month sound, for now? It'll probably get better as we go on. Ciao